Proposed Mink Creek subdivision will have another public hearing

The Bannock County commissioners made the decision for Bannock County Planning and Development to hold another public hearing for a proposed subdivision after Wednesday’s appeal hearing.

The new Deer Valley Reserve subdivision would sit on 67.35 acres and have 13 homes occupy it. The Bannock County Planning and Development Board unanimously approved the preliminary proposal for the subdivision in August.

The Mink Creek Utility Association filed the appeal on the new subdivision, claiming there wasn’t a platted easement on the affected property before filing the preliminary proposal– bringing up concerns of water quality in the area.

During the appeal hearing, Bannock County planning director Devin Hillam did showed an easement exists, but it wasn’t addressed in public hearings by Planning and Development.

Bannock County commission chairman Howard Manwaring said the public deserves to comment on the easement.

“We want the public to be able to give their comments,” said Manwaring. “They felt like they didn’t have the opportunity, so we remanded it back (to Planning and Development) so they would have that opportunity.”

A date hasn’t been set yet for the new public hearing.